Sunday, 28 September 2014

I mentioned a week or so ago that I continue to work for Spellbinders
and I will have exciting details to share with you all soon... and I promise it will be soon!

Before that announcement I have some other news to share with you regarding the
Hope and Chances Creativity studio/shop.

Although the shop is now proving popular, after a lot of deliberation I have decided to close.
I love my shop, I loved decorating it and making it into a crafty haven,
I love having the classes, the Knit and Natters and more, but it takes an incredible amount
of work and I juggle that alongside my family and City job.
I really wish I could be in two places at one time but alas no - where is that magic wand??
So the decision has been made - the shop will close shortly (dabs eyes with hankie yet again!)

With the shop closing I also have to say goodbye to my craft room.
Again, a decision had to be made...where can I craft??
I cannot return to my conservatory - I've filled it with so much other stuff now including kittens!
I looked to rent an office space but wasn't keen to have landlords again. And then...
my parents came to the rescue and have offered to build a log cabin in their garden for me.

My parents are the sort of people that once a decision is made they leap into action.
The log cabin is being placed where Mum's greenhouse once stood -
(it's okay, her greenhouse is being located to a sunnier spot hence laying the new base
I blogged about recently).
Within a day the greenhouse was dismantled with some help from Mitchell and Bella...
(note she appears in each photo!)

My parents have a wonderful garden and the views are stunning, it will be a perfect place to craft

and I think Bella will also be pleased - apparently she is having a dog flap fitted into the cabin!

The base was completed this week and the cabin is being shipped in from abroad and will

arrive soon.

I am pleased to confirm that the website will continue and in fact

without the outlay of the shop I will be able to stock even more items and definitely

a huge competitive range of Spellbinders.

Also be on the lookout for new kits ....

If you have a shop loyalty card please keep hold of it - you will not lose out, there is a new

online loyalty plan being launched - details will follow shortly.

There is going to be a shop sale day on Saturday 4 October, a chance to stock up and

grab some bargain items, please come along from 10am.

Please join me on this new journey, there is going to be news,

building works, decorating and everything ably overseen by Bella!

Take care friends and huge thanks to those who visited the shop and attended classes.

It has been such a great experience but, as they say..as one door closes another opens -

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Today a tip when using the Bauble Blossom dies, these are the ones that contain a quilling strip.
When these were first launched I had a flurry of emails and I recently received a couple
more questions so thought I would offer some tips.

For the middle of the flower, you can use a proper quilling tool if you have one,
if not I found the end of a pokey tool works well.
Once you get started coiling try to keep it as even as possible.
Cards coil differently, if your card feel inflexible lightly mist with water to break down the fibres.

Once your base is complete, secure the end with liquid glue and allow to dry.
To attach the petals to your quilled base, the embossed/right side goes on the inside.
You may want to use two strips of petals to create a fuller flower.
A fine line of glue along the entire length of petal strip ensures it's a permanent flower!

The rolled flower before tweaking!

Tweaked!

Bauble Blossoms come in two designs to each set but look good mixed and matched too.

The shop is still having some maintenance carried out at the moment but re-opening tomorrow.
The paperwork at home is depleting, I can nearly see the bottom of the filing tray - hurrah!